If this is a duplicate post, I'm sorry, but I searched and couldn't find anything that helped me with this question. I am in the market for a GPS unit I want to use specifically in my MINI and have no experience with them.

What is the best GPS unit out there, and why?

What should I consider when purchasing one?

Is there a good internet site out there somewhere that compares and reviews the units?

Thanks for your help!!!

 

What is the best flavor of ice cream?

There are tons of threads comparing and contrasting different Nav units.
http://www.gpsinformation.net/ is a good resource.
To give any recommendation, you have to know what you want to use it for, and what is important to you?
Price? Touch screen? Voice commands? Screen size? Auto only or other uses?

 

I agree with Eric. What do you want to spend? Where do you want to mount it? What features do you want?

The best source for info is www.gpsinformation.net .

I bought the Garmin Quest, because I wanted small and portable.

 

my dad bought a tomtom one. it is pretty easy to use and has a touch screen. i think it was $600 i'm not totally sure though

 

I totally agreee with Eric. There is no ONE best GPS. Eric's reference is the definitive source for GPS information and where I did my research in buying mine.

 

I know, it was a very broad question and there really is no number one product out there. Thanks for the link to research on the subject. Maybe I can change the question to what GPS unit do you have and why do you like it? Without much experience in this area, I don't know that I even know what I prefer or what I am looking for, so guide me. If I were your best friend and you thought your GPS setup was the best around, sell me on it. Why do you have what you have, what do you like, what don't you like, what regrets do you have with your purchase, if you could get anything, what would it be? Just share your personal preferences here with all the bias that comes with it!

 

That's a much better question. Didn't mean to be grumpy, but 'best' is so subjective it's unanswerable.
The "Which GPS should I buy" page from the above link is a good place to start.
I would not recommend by Garmin 60CS, unless you also want to use it for backpacking. If you do, it rocks!
There are also threads like Choosing an aftermarket Nav where folks have already done what you request.


P.S. If you were my best friend, you'd have already bought me a beer by now.

 

OK, totally different and good question. Just my opinion because I know different people have different units and all love what they got.

I have a magallen 700 updated to 760. It had a rock-solid, bolted in permanent panavise mount to the downtubes. Ran the external antenna up through the headliner with it mounted next to the XM antenna. Pics below.

what regrets do you have with your purchase

Absolutely none at time of purchase. Technology is always getting better, can't help that. Easily moved from vehicle to vehicle. Only used and mounted when needed.

Why do you have what you have

because at the time of purchase, I thought it the best unit on the market with only some competition from Garmin at a higher price.

what do you like,

Easily to see. Touch screen. 20 Gig HD, no fiddling with cards, fits all N. America. Annouces streets. 7M POIs, Multiple routing options, detours, multiple user interface for different users. Continues to track without road present (as new streets appear). Automatic rerouting for construction.

what don't you like

If your address is in a multiple story building, it will leave you in the middle of the street saying your at the destination. That's not the unit's fault, your there. Its more like operator error because I don't know what floor the address may be!

If you could get anything, what would it be

Without question,Pioneer Avic N2 or its successor the Z series when it comes out as single DIN. Avic Z1 is already out as Double DIN like the Avic N1. The unit replaces you OEM HU. Provides XM radio, GPS that has all the state-of-the-art feature PLUS provides for integration with XM Traffic (in all major US cities) that shows you the traffic jams and allows for rerouting where it can. Backup and forward cameras available AND integrated Bluetooth. The integration of Traffic, XM, and Bluetooth sets it apart from the rest. A less expensive choice would be Garmin Nuvi 360, integrated Bluetooth but weak at the traffic ... limited cities and its GPS only, no XM and thus not integrated OEM-style in the car.

Pics of current follow:

Magellan mounted



External GPS antenna



Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the tips, anyone else out there want to pimp their setup? I would love some contrasting or complimenting opinions to help me out.

 

Check out this thread-->Let's see your GPS mounting pics!

 

Since I already had the Samsung PDA/phone, I went with a GPS/navigation solution that works with that. Pharos for the GPS hardware, and Mapopolis for the maps and software. Works pretty well. A couple of small annoyances with Mapopolis and/or the map data, like getting confused which is land and which is water, especially around Seattle, so I'm going to be taking another look at the software bundled with the Pharos hardware, Ostia. I see the current version of the Ostia software has a 3d view, which looks kinda cool. I'll have to see what my upgrade options are.

I went with the Kuda mount, to place my phone in a good, visible location.

 

Mounting will be something I'll consider later, I just want those who have systems to tell me why they made their choice.

 

I have an Ipaq 2415 with TomTom Navigator 5 and a bluetooth antenna. I am awaiting delivery of my MCS and plan on placing my antenna up in the rear sunroof area.

what regrets do you have with your purchase
None at the time of purchase. Was better than what I was expecting, especially when compared to my handheld, a Garmin 76SC. Bought everything from eBay at about $350 USD.

Why do you have what you have
I like the flexibility of carrying it with me whilst walking or cycling about the various European cities.

what do you like
as above.

what don't you like
I was unaware that Navigator 5 limits you to the map that you currently have loaded. For example, if you load individual state maps or regional maps, once you cross the line to the adjacent area, you'll have to perform a "switch map" function, which is bothersome. Integrated units like the TomTom 700 not only have all the maps loaded, it is seamless meaning that there is no switching maps.

If you could get anything, what would it be
Anything from the TomTom 900-series. I like the intuitive interface and perspectives.

 

I was leaning towards the TomTom 700 but now they announced the 900...